ARK Invest announced it has migrated its validator operations for Solana assets to SOL Strategies, reflecting growing interest in specialized staking providers.
Validator Operations Migration
According to a press release dated July 28, ARK Invest has migrated the validator operations for its Digital Asset Revolutions Fund to SOL Strategies, a Toronto-based firm specializing in Solana infrastructure. This partnership leverages SOL Strategies' integration with BitGo's custody platform, allowing ARK to obtain institutional-grade staking services while avoiding the operational overhead of running independent validators.
Shift in Institutional Staking Approach
ARK's pivot to SOL Strategies reflects a broader institutional trend in the search for staking partnerships that offer both technical specialization and regulatory insulation. Unlike retail investors, institutional asset managers like ARK require infrastructure that meets compliance standards while minimizing slashing risks.
Solana Staking Market
Data from Solana Compass reveals that approximately 403 million SOL, valued at about $73.5 billion, is currently staked. This represents a 22% year-to-date increase, coinciding with rising institutional interest. However, risks remain, such as validator slashing penalties and historical network outages.
The partnership between ARK Invest and SOL Strategies highlights the growing interest in specialized staking solutions among institutional investors. Despite potential risks, such as network issues, the evolution of the market will continue to present new opportunities for participants.
